Florida/National

Girls Got STEAM: Build Racecars

Posted February 24, 2017 01:15 am

By
Ford Motor Company

It's important for girls to embrace the exciting
world of STEAM-related fields of science, technology,
engineering, arts and math. See how Ford brought the
awesomeness of car racing to hundreds of Girl Scouts
from councils in New Jersey, Detroit, Miami and Dallas!

As part of Ford Motor Company’s collaboration with
four Girl Scouts Councils, young girls from across
America had the chance to explore STEAM-related fields
through the four Ford Girls’ Fast Track Races events.

Girls’ Fast Track Races, Powered by Ford, is designed
to provide encouragement and motivation to the four
participating councils as they work to build their own
race cars. The goal of the race is to provide hands-on
experience in vehicle engineering and design to hundreds
of Brownies and Juniors from each of the participating
councils as they build their own cars.

“Working together on this event today is just an
outstanding way for us to show our innovation and
support for girls in STEAM,” said Alison Bazil, business
manager for vehicle components and system engineering
for Ford Motor Company. “The Girl Scouts’ mission is to
instill girls with courage, confidence and character to
make the world a better place.”It gives participants the
opportunity to connect and compete at the highest level
— all while sparking creativity to ensure a brighter
future, not just for Ford, but for the entire community.

“We want to build the girls’ confidence in their
STEAM abilities by introducing them to different
experiences like this, and to different STEAM
professionals,” said Barb Sosin, director of council
programs for the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan.
“Ford has allowed us to provide this opportunity to the
girls that they may not have otherwise had, and we’re
very appreciative of Ford’s sponsorship of this
event.”Teaming up with the four Girl Scouts councils
made sense for Ford, as the company knows diversity is
imperative to future innovations. “This is just a
collaboration made in heaven, between what Ford is
wanting to do and what Girl Scouts is all about,” said
Bazil.

In addition to offering guidance to the girls on
their vehicles, Ford Motor Company engineers are judges
in a design competition, where the cars are judged based
on workmanship and creativity. Two design trophies are
awarded in addition to trophies for the fastest Brownie
and Junior cars.